Outer Belt Civic Association accuses Springfield City Council President James Ferrera of 'childish' committee appointments

SPRINGFIELD – The Outer Belt Civic Association has urged City Council President James J. Ferrera III to change some of his committee appointments, saying his treatment of two councilors is childish and politically motivated.

“If this cannot be rectified, then we are prepared to ask for Councilor Ferrera to step down as president,” the association stated in a letter this week. “If necessary, we are prepared to ask for his resignation or impeachment.”

Ferrera said Wednesday he has no intention of changing his appointments, adding the process was open, fair and “absolutely not” politically vindictive.

“I respect their opinion but I stand by my committee appointments and chairpersons that I selected and that is not going to change,” Ferrera said.

Ferrera said he tried to accommodate councilors who supported him for president early, and who wanted certain appointments. He offered to meet with all councilors but some councilors who were “last to commit” to voting for him “received whatever was left over,” he said.

The association letter, signed by its board officers and directors, was particularly critical of Ferrera for his treatment of Ward 2 Councilor Michael A. Fenton and of Ward 7 Councilor Timothy C. Allen, who represents that neighborhood and sought the presidency himself.

“We did not put them in office to become Councilor Ferrera’s punching bags,” the letter stated. “This is not about Councilor Ferrera, it is about the City of Springfield.”

Allen received no chairmanships and is a member of one committee, Human Services. Fenton also received one assignment, as a member of the Animal Control Committee.

In contrast, all other councilors were appointed to two or more committees, as well as chairmanships, including Ward 1 Councilor Zaida Luna, who was assigned to five committees and one chairmanship.

Allen and Fenton joined in the 13-0 council vote for Ferrera as president in a late December caucus.

The president, under council rules, annually appoints council committees. The association states that Ferrera has decided he can do whatever he wants.

“This is a childish, self-motivated, unkind, political demonstration of someone who has allowed his new status to become dictatorial,” the association stated.

The letter was signed by Outer Belt Civic Association President Walter Gould and five board directors and officers.

Ferrera said the assignments do not limit Allen or Fenton.

“There is not going to be a limit of how Councilor Fenton and Allen are going to serve, and what meetings they can attend,” Ferrera said. “They are more than welcome to attend every committee meeting and to participate in the meetings, and I encourage them to do so.”

Some councilors, including Timothy J. Rooke and Thomas M. Ashe, praised the appointments. Rooke said the process was probably the most open process he has been involved in.

Rooke is chairman of the Finance Committee, but stated there are years when you get desired appointments, and sometimes you do not. Ashe is chairman of Public Health and Safety.